Minutes - Planning Commission - 04/06/1993

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! ! I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Motion by C6mmissioner Deemer and seconded by Commissioner Holland to recommend that City Council appr0v~ e the revised preliminary plat for Chestnut Hill. Discussion: City Engineer Jankowski stated there is a drainage and utility easement necessary on Lots 3 and 4in the northeast cul-de-sac. Commissioner Deemer stated he was in favor of the second outle~ to the north. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Bawden, Commissioners Deemer, Holland, Hendriksen, Terry and Thorud. Voting No: None. Absent: Commissioner LaDue. Case #2: Request for Sketch Plan Review of Townhouses of Rum River Hills; ease of Thomas Anderson and Wilbur Dom Zoning Admin~ istrator Frolik stated the development agreement entered into for Rum River Hills in 1984 specifi .'.ed that Ouflot C was approved for development with multi-family housing at the time sewer and water became available, but it did not specify to what density. She noted there are plans on file that indicate density was proposed at 5-10 units per acre for a total of 18 to 37 units. She stated that th6 developers have submitted a sketch plan for Townhouses of Rum River Hills" which is proposed t0 replat Lot 1, Block 2 and Outlot C, Rum River Hills, into 12 townhouses lots. The 12 units would be served by individual on-site septic systems and wells. She stated City Staff is concerned th~.t disregard of the 4 in 40 density policy commimaent to the Metropolitan Council would jeopar~tize the City's on-going efforts for a M-USA expansion. She stated that Metropolitan Council feel~_ it is inconsistent with the timing and sequencing of public facilities as indicated in Ramsey's Cdmprehensive Plan. She added that Metropolitan Council is concerned about any pollution problems resulting from development activity or inadequate management of private sewer facilities and[ would hold the City of Ramsey fully responsible. Based on these concerns, City Staff recommends denial of the proposal to plat townhouse units in Rum River Hills at this time. Applicant Wilbur Dom stated that the development agreement is nine years old and this is the tail end of a 10 y&ar project. He explained that they agreed to build a golf course and construct roads, donate the golf course to the City making rates accessible to the citizens, and develop outlot C with townhouses ~bhen sewer and water became available. He stated that the agreement states sanitary sewer and mater, not City sewer and water. He stated they are abundantly aware that the neighbors do tnot want condominiums or apartments even though the property is already approved for multi-family and that no variance is needed. He explained that as a compromise, they came up with townho ,roes like those in Ham Lake. This will cut back on the density from 36 units to 12 units. He staiext' some neighbors indicated that this is highly preferable to waiting for sewer and water to come m and something less desirable is developed. He stated he sharply disagrees with City Administrator Schroeder and feels this was presented negatively to the Metropolitan Council. He stated the Metropolitan Council is very willing to work with this idea. He stated Mr. Schroeder has not discussed- this with the City lawyer nor has a soil study been done yet. He stated they are aware they ca~ t go ahead with the project until a sewer system is set up, but that the Planning and Zoning Commission needs to decide whether this is appropriate usage for this land at this point in history, He suggested the Commission consider the concept of townhouses subject to certain proposed congifions, thereby giving the City input into the design and size. He stated that once a sewer system is in place, the Commission could not prevent a developer from coming in and building apartments when the neighborhood prefers lower density. He requested the Commission give the concept a chance to go through a public heating. Commissioner Thorud stated the Commission received a letter from Ronald A. Jerich, dated February 20, !993 stating he was not in favor of townhouses and that their real estate sign did not show the towt~house layout when they were selling these other lots. Planning & Zoning Commission/4/6/93 Page 3 of 8